Dr. Jacqueline Williams has embodied the “All Together One” spirit throughout her career with her words,
actions, and behaviors. When I think of Jackie and her connection to the Madison community, I cannot help
but think of the Chinese proverb:

“If you want one year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees. If
you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people.”
Chinese Proverb

The “All Together One” spirit that persists at JMU does so not by happenstance, but because of the people
who demonstrate and live All Together One, spreading it to others and helping it to grow and prosper. As
Jackie prepares to retire, her physical presence on campus will surely be missed, but this spirit will live on
in the legacy she leaves behind.

I distinctly remember my first meeting with Jackie. It was a relatively brief encounter, but I recall how she
made me feel important. She treated me like I mattered and that I belonged. As a young undergraduate
student finding his way, this encounter was so meaningful to me. I quickly realized in our first meeting that
Jackie was going to be an influential person throughout my academic career. She was the coordinator of the
PHETE (Physical Health Education Teacher Education) program which I chose as my concentration. She
would go on to be my academic advisor and professor for several undergraduate and graduate classes in
the following years. Twenty plus years later Jackie is still an influential person in my life as a role model,
mentor, colleague and friend.

Many of the lessons Jackie taught me still stick with me today. In fact, I share many of them with my current
students. The biggest and most important lessons were about social justice and equity. For example, when
addressing a classroom of students, it is not appropriate to address them as “guys” because they are not all
guys. Or when talking about an individual with a disability it is important to use people first language,
because disabilities should not define a person. Making sure that when we teach our lessons, we are
including all students and providing access to physical activity and healthy lifestyles for everyone. She
helped me see the bigger picture and realize there were significant barriers to students engaging in healthy
lifestyles that may be out of their control and their families’. She taught these lessons in a way that never
shut me down or embarrassed me, but rather in a way that made me think critically and reflect on my own
privilege.

In addition to her important lessons, Jackie is compassionate. One memory that comes to mind is from
graduate school. I needed to submit lesson and unit plans for my student teaching and at the time I was
juggling a lot professionally and personally. Time management was not a strength of mine, and I was running behind on submitting these important documents. Jackie offered me the option of dropping them
by her house, giving me both extra time and grace. It would have totally been within her right to lecture me
on professionalism and tardiness, considering my situation. But that was not Jackie’s style. Instead, she
invited me for dinner. We had chicken and dumplings and it was delicious! While we ate, she asked me
questions. Questions about myself, my circumstances and my well-being. She could tell in that moment
that I was stressed and overwhelmed. She connected with me, and that is exactly what I needed in that
moment.

Although I’m no longer her student, Jackie is still mentoring, teaching and helping me. A few years ago she
wrote me a recommendation for my doctoral program. Before writing this recommendation, I sought her
guidance on my program and whether or not this was a good choice for me. I value her feedback and
appreciate her commitment and dedication to me and my career through all these years.

When I reflect on my professional journey and who I am as a faculty member, I know that much of my style
emulates who Jackie is. I try to invest in my students like Jackie did in me. I try to connect with my
students and build relationships with them that last a lifetime. James Madison University is a better place
because of professors like Jackie. I am a better teacher, professor, mentor and overall person because of
Jackie and am so appreciative for her service.

Writteb by - Timothy M. Howley

For TWENTY-NINE years, Jackie has been a dedicated member of the JMU community. She has inspired students and faculty alike, guiding the Physical and Health Education Teacher Education program (PHETE), and creating partnerships and relationships between students, faculty, community members, and scholars across the nation.

Twenty-nine years. This number is striking to me, as Jackie started as my undergraduate mentor in the Fall of 1994, over twenty-seven years ago, and at that time, her presence at JMU was already larger than life. When I returned to JMU as a faculty member in 2014, it was a dream come true to be working alongside Jackie as a colleague. I could write pages and pages about Jackie, as she is a remarkable human being who has left an imprint on the hearts (and professional practice) of hundreds of JMU students in our program, and countless others who have experiences her classes.

What makes Jackie so amazing? Jackie is a community builder. During her many years at JMU, she dreamed big and created the JMU Health and Physical Activity Institute, that brings hundreds of teachers and students from across Virginia together to learn and grow as professionals every July. Jackie also dreamed big to create a five-year Master of Teaching program, a deducation to learning and professional growth that has impacted countless students across the state and nationally. Jackie approaches every meeting, gathering, and collaboration with inclusivity in mind. She is the first to offer spots at the table and think of others. She is known as a mediator in our department, offering wisome and guidance to build community capacity, teamwork, and caring conversations. 

Along with the examples I've offered, I want to speak to the interpersonal qualities that make Jackie a deserving nominee. Kindness, an ethic of care, inspiration, laugher, fun, and love: these are words that describe Jackie. Jackie works with over 30 local teachers, all of whom adore her, because when you engage in a conversation with Jackie, and feel like a million bucks. She is kind, caring, and full of joy. Jackie is a true steward of the "all together one" philosophy, and a remarkable example of the spirit of JMU.

Jackie's email signature has been "Cheersm JAW" for at least two decades; she is known for this signature. She is a celebrator of students, a celebrator of faculty, a celebrator of JMU athletics, a celebrator of the arts at JMU, and a celebrator of all that JMU brings to the Harrisonburg community. 

Written by - Dr. Cathy McKay

As a newer faculty member at JMU, I was not originally familiar with the All Together One Award.  However, after reading through the description, I could not imagine anyone more suited for this award than Dr. “Jackie” Williams, of the Kinesiology Department.  

Jackie first came into my life when I was a junior myself here at James Madison, entering the Physical Health Education Teacher Education Program.  We were the first graduating class to go through the newly introduced five-year Masters in the Art of Teaching program, and while there were many questions to be answered, and challenges to overcome, Jackie guided our group with tenacity and compassion.  At a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion were not at the forefront of topics in the education world, Jackie was leading the way to ensure that all students were receiving quality health and physical education instruction.  She inspired all of our cohort to raise the standard of quality teaching.

From Day One, Dr. Williams made us feel welcomed and motivated us to learn more about our future profession. Coming to her classes was something that you looked forward to as you knew that your original perceptions may be challenged, but that you were growing professionally.  She fostered an incredible group rapport through collaboration and communication that led many of us to refer to our group as a family.  In fact, many of her former students still refer to her as their “Harrisonburg Mom.”  She held students accountable, but fostered respect and a genuine sense of caring within her cohorts. 

I have had the distinct pleasure of working with the different JMU PHETE cohorts for the past 15 years. I have witnessed how Dr. Williams has helped to shape and mold her students as they become young professionals within this field, which exemplifies her love and enthusiasm for this profession. She has helped to mentor, educate, and motivate students to not just become incredible health and physical education specialists, but many of her students have gone on to become Teachers of the Year at the local, state, and national level. She has mentored students to become supervisors for entire school districts, administrators, state advocates, and college professors. The PHETE program would not be considered one of the elite programs that it is today without her guidance.  She has also continued to facilitate professional development for the community of educators in the field by hosting the Health and Physical Activity Institute every summer at JMU, which is considered one of the premier conferences of its kind.

While her professional accolades speak for themselves, what I believe sets Jackie apart even more is her ability to embody the JMU spirit of “all together one.”  Jackie is someone who truly cares for her students. She cheers loudly at each JMU football game donning her purple and gold, and invites you to cheer alongside her.  She has visited students in the hospital, celebrated marriages and births, and even comforted former students with home-cooked meals and a shoulder to cry on in times of despair.   Her positive attitude towards education, compassion towards students, and collaboration with the community set her apart from anyone else that I have had the pleasure of working with for the past twenty years.  I am honored to say that Jackie taught me, mentored me, challenged me, and inspired me. 

Written by - Anonymous